Our Journey and Other Things

May 19, 2014May 19, 2014

With Sympathy

I’ve been thinking about the loss of a child today, the loss of a friend today, the loss of family members today. So often, when we are confronted with the unthinkably tragic, we are reminded of the ways which we too have mourned. We are confronted with the sadness of death and pain that are in our world as a result of the greatest tragedy of all, the fall.

Today, I say a very sad prayer for a few friends who delivered a stillborn baby over the weekend. what an incredibly heart-wrenching thing for a young family to endure. We are reminded when we lose someone we are dear to, that this is not our home yet. That Jesus, who has died to set us free, has not returned in pomp and glory yet and therefore our world is not as it should.

It is times like this I remember the psalm I so often sign my name with:

I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;he heard my cry for mercy.Because he turned his ear to me,I will call on him as long as I live.

The cords of death entangled me,the anguish of the grave came over me;I was overcome by distress and sorrow.Then I called on the name of the Lord:“Lord, save me!”

The Lord is gracious and righteous;our God is full of compassion.The Lord protects the unwary;when I was brought low, he saved me.

Return to your rest, my soul,for the Lord has been good to you.

For you, Lord, have delivered me from death,my eyes from tears,my feet from stumbling,that I may walk before the Lordin the land of the living.

Jesus has not returned, but the Lord does not rejoice in this pain. The word of hope we carry as Christians is that although we are suffering, the Lord does indeed hear us and will answer our cries. He will deliver us. M&L I am so sorry for your loss. I pray that the God of peace, strengthens and upholds you as you walk through this time of sorrow.